As a journalist and human rights activist – Annie Zaman has been working for more than 10 years in Pakistan, Germany and Britain to create awareness about various socio-political issues and gather more voices in support of a progressive and tolerant global society.
After working as a full-time journalist at Pakistan’s Daily Times and Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle, Annie moved on to more adventurous projects with various advocacy groups, raising her voice and words for labour rights, minority rights, and rights of journalists in conflict zones. At the time of the last general election in Pakistan, she launched a virtual newsroom for citizen journalists under the umbrella of PakVotes (PV). PV brought social media platforms together with a network of reporters to track violence during Pakistan’s 2013 elections. She is consulting editor of PakVoices, which has grown into a digital community media project for local transparency in governance in Southern Punjab and Makran Coast. Annie also worked with the Rory Peck Trust as a Programme Officer to support the safety and welfare of freelance newsgatherers from Asia.
She is a regular contributor to Global Voices, co-editor of GV-Urdu, and speaks English, German, Urdu and Punjabi.
She tweets at @natrani.
Latest posts by Qurratulain (Annie) Zaman
26 June 2020
Activists demand end to year-long internet disruption in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin States
In the middle of a global pandemic, access to information is even more critical than usual.
1 June 2020
Pakistan blocks Twitter, Zoom and Periscope to curb critical voices
In mid-May, Twitter, Zoom and Persicope were either blocked or throttled across Pakistan. Activists say the move was meant to target a few web conferences on human rights issues.
4 May 2020
Baloch journalist found dead in Sweden
In recent months, several Pakistani activists and bloggers living in Europe have claimed to have been targeted for speaking up against human rights violations in Pakistan.
2 February 2020
Pakistani human rights activist who challenged military is arrested
Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen, a young a human rights activist from South Waziristan, Pakistan, has been arrested for alleged conspiracy and sedition.
22 January 2020
Pakistani director halts release of award-winning film after receiving threats
"They are holding a film hostage for all the wrong reasons and there is nothing we can do about it."
6 November 2019
#iamrabipirzada campaign supports Pakistani actress Rabi Pirzada after nude photos leaked
The Rabi Pirzada incident shows how people are personally attacked for their freedom of expression in Pakistan.
19 August 2019
Pakistan's government suspends relations with India in show of solidarity with Kashmiris
After Narendra Modi's government in India scrapped Article 370, many Pakistanis asked the ruling party to take action.
14 August 2019
‘The external world doesn't know how rich Nepali literature is': An interview with author Dr. Sangita Swechcha
"Not only is [the number of] Nepali writers who write in English slowly growing but the translation of literary works from Nepali to other languages is gaining momentum too."
9 July 2019
‘A dangerous trend': Pakistani journalists critical of the government and military targeted in Twitter campaign
As if threats from the authorities against press freedom in Pakistan were not enough, online nationalist vigilantes are also on the pry against journalists.
27 February 2019
Tensions mount between Pakistan and India after retaliatory manoeuvres by both nations
The current situation represents the biggest escalation of tensions between the two South Asian nuclear-armed rivals in over three decades.
23 January 2019
Biryani Stories: Is Biryani the national dish of Pakistan?
Biriyani might be considered the king of South Asian cuisine, but is it the national dish of Pakistan?
15 October 2018
Pashtun human rights activist detained at Islamabad airport, released after social media pressure
Gulalai Ismail is a well-known Pashtun human rights activist and founder of Seeds of Peace network.
12 September 2018
Pakistan government's pro-minority stance questioned as Ahmadi economist's appointment is revoked
The appointment of Ahmadi Muslim economist Dr. Atif Mian to a government Council sparked a social media smear campaign, and right-wing religious parties threatened nationwide protests.
15 June 2018
Research reveals malicious digital campaign against Pakistani human rights defenders
The Amnesty International report reveals that a network of social media fake accounts are used to infiltrate the activists communities in Pakistan.
15 February 2018
Remembering Pakistan's Empowering Human Rights Activist Asma Jahangir
"Even in her death, she did not conform to the established code. Resistance, thy name is Asma."
4 February 2018
Nina Paley's ‘Seder-Masochism’ Film Explores Patriarchy in the Book of Exodus Through Animated Ancient Idols
"My interpretation of Exodus is that it's the establishment of complete patriarchy, the elimination of any remaining goddess-worship from older times."
31 January 2018
Crowdfunded Rescue Saves French Mountaineer on Pakistan's Nanga Parbat, but Her Climbing Partner Is Left Behind
"The Heroes of Nanga parbat Polish climbers who stopped their K2 climb and saved life on killer mountain in the darkness...You showed the world what a human life means"
29 January 2018
Since 2016, Myanmar Courts Have Convicted 100% of People Charged Under Telecom Law 66 (d)
"Every court has given a prison sentence and none has given a fine."
10 January 2018
After Facing Harassment from Authorities, Pakistani Journalist Narrowly Escapes Abduction
Taha Siddiqui is the bureau chief for WION news. He also is an avid social media user and critic of the military.
9 June 2017
Pakistani Journalist Takes Intelligence Agency to Court Over Harassment
"Many friends have also confided tht seeing me go thru all wht i've had to has made thm self censor even more. Climate of fear persists"
